It's not my first rodeo with large format - my first efforts were academically undergone on an old gray mare - Calumet, I don't remember much else about it except it was heavy to lug around. I also exposed film and paper in a 4x5 pinhole camera . . . so nice. Today I thinker with building pinhole cameras that support things like 4x5 roll film holders and sheet film -- I have also been experiementing with a dual convex 15cm lens ... obscura time!
I recently decided I'd get my own LF camera and purchased a, new to me, Toyo-View 45G with rotating back. I also picked up one 10" extension rail, I haven't found another one yet :/ I also had purchased, but returned, a Quick Slide back that supposedly fit into the graflok of the 45G - but did not. Upon research and reaching out to the Toyo-View helpers, learned that my camera having the 360˚ back was why the model of Quick Slide wouldn't mount. Seems I need the 180719 model, which B&H wants like $1200 for :/
I purchased my first lens a super dirt cheap Tominon 127 in an antique Copal Polaroid shutter ... got it cheap, it didn't have the retaining ring. Probably a garbage lens and shutter, but I'm kind of "experimental" with my photography. I'm a big fan of doing things in analog, converting to digital, then printing in the analog styles . . . sometimes. It just depends on my frame of mind and the image . . . not everything is a great cyanotype print, you know.
I'm currently waiting on some lens boards to arrive and a nice new-to-me shutter release cable ... and trying to find the right "first" lens for this new toy.
Looks like I'm buying from Japan, and I'm a little skeptical --- see other post somewhere about that.
Also:
My 45G needs a couple things to be tip-top ...
(1) Spirit Level (one of the levels is busted, not fluid).
(2) Little Screw-in cap for the upright, it has 3 of the 4 :/
Otherwise, I'd say this thing was in nice shape ... yes, it's an early 45G given it's chrome monorail and uprights.
P.S. If you have a tripod head recommendation, something not too ridiculous -- I'd like that. I have a Bogen/Manfrotto aluminum tripood and a ball head (not for LF).
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